Hinge Device and Foldable Display Apparatus Having the Same

1. A hinge device comprising: a first body configured to support a first portion of a flexible display panel; a second body configured to support a second portion of the flexible display panel; a hinge member configured to hinge-connect the first body and the second body with each other in a foldable manner; a first support, comprising an end portion of the first support pivotably attached to the first body and a free end portion of the first support; and a second support, comprising an end portion of the second support pivotably attached to the second body and a free end portion of the second support, wherein the first support and the second support respectively include sides respectively arranged on the first body and the second body to swing and configured to form with the hinge member an accommodation space into which a folded portion of the flexible display panel extends and is folded to form a curvature in a folded arrangement in which the first body and the second body are folded such that the first portion and the second portion are disposed face to face, and to support the folded portion of the flexible display panel in an unfolded arrangement in which the first body and the second body are unfolded such that the first portion, the second portion, and the folded portion are disposed supported in substantially a single plane.

2. The hinge device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hinge member has a groove formed thereon, into which the respective free end portions of the first support and the second support are inserted at the first position.

3. The hinge device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the respective free end portions of the first support and the second support are supported at upper ends of both side walls of the groove.

4. The hinge device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first body and the second body have inclined surfaces formed on an inside of a portion at which the first support and the second support overlap each other.

5. The hinge device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first body and the second body and the first support and the second support are arranged on a same plane in the folded arrangement.

6. The hinge device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flexible display panel has a non-attachment section that is not attached to the first support and the second support.

7. The hinge device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a non-attachment section of the flexible display panel that is not attached to the first support and the second support corresponds to the folded portion that forms the curvature of the flexible display panel when the first body and the second body are in the folded arrangement.

8. The hinge device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein free end portions of the first support and the second support are pulled toward the hinge member and come in contact with the hinge member.

9. The hinge device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein an attractive force that is caused by a magnetic force acts between the first support and the second support and the hinge member.

10. The hinge device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein a first elastic member is arranged between the first support and the first body, and wherein a second elastic member is arranged between the second support and the second body.

11. The hinge device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the first elastic member comprises a tensile spring having one end connected to the first support and the other end connected to the first body, and wherein the second elastic member comprises a tensile spring having one end connected to the second support and the other end connected to the second body.

12. The hinge device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the first elastic member and the second elastic member comprise torsion springs.

13. The hinge device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first body and the second body simultaneously swing at a same angle against the hinge member.

14. A foldable display apparatus comprising: a flexible display panel; a first body portion and a second body portion configured to support a rear surface of the flexible display panel; a hinge member configured to connect the first body portion and the second body portion with each other in a foldable manner; and a first support and a second support configured to be arranged to overlap the first and second body portions in a separable manner, wherein the first support comprises an end portion of the first support pivotably attached to the first body and a free end portion of the first support and the second support comprises an end portion of the second support pivotably attached to the second body and a free end portion of the second support, and wherein the first support and the second support form with the hinge member an accommodation space into which a folded portion of the flexible display panel extends and is bent to have a curvature of the flexible display panel when the first body portion and the second body portion are in a folded arrangement such that a first portion of the flexible display panel and a second portion of the flexible display panel are disposed face to face, and support the rear surface of the flexible display panel in substantially a single plane when the first body portion and the second body portion form a straight angle.

15. The foldable display apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein when the first body portion and the second body portion form the straight angle, the first body portion and the second body portion and the first support and the second support are arranged on a same plane.

16. The foldable display apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein free end portions of the first support and the second support are pulled toward the hinge member and come in contact with the hinge member.

17. The foldable display apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the first and second body portions comprise: a first body and a second body attached to the flexible display panel with a gap; and a first frame and a second frame configured to surround parts of outlines of the first body and the second body and hinge-connected to both sides of the hinge member, wherein hinge connection portions between the first support and the first frame and between the second support and the second frame have gaps in which the first support and the second support can move.

18. The foldable display apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the first body portion includes a first gear fixed to a portion that is hinge-connected to the hinge member, and wherein the second body portion includes a second gear fixed to a portion that is hinge-connected to the hinge member and is tooth-engaged with the first gear.

19. The foldable display apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising: a cover that surrounds outer side surfaces of the hinge member, the first body portion, and the second body portion, wherein in the folded arrangement the cover is folded into a gap formed between the first body portion and second body portion and the hinge member to form a wrinkle.